on jump in heartbeat. >> that is our report. thanks for joining us. welcome to "world news." tonight the halloween nightmare playing out across a big part of this country. the flash floods, the dramatic rescues by raft, by helicopter, families hoisted to safety. abc's extreme weather team on the case tonight. the breaking news late today, the justice department suddenly stepping in. the mysterious case of a teenager found dead in a high school gym. tonight you'll see the school surveillance tape. ready for takeoff, the big change for anyone getting on a plane tonight. for some airlines it starts tonight. the fliers sending us their videos. trick or treat. what happens when you unknowingly buy a so-called haunted house, the american families turning to the real-life ghost busters.

good evening on this thursday night. great to have you with us. diane has the evening off. we do begin tonight with that wicked weather on this halloween, millions of families taking a rain check literally on that trick or treating. here's why. a giant system on the move this evening, some of the worst flooding in a century. in texas a church under water, a baby handed off by rescuers, a highway broken into pieces by the rushing water. look at this tonight, families huddled on rooftops waiting for help. more than 50 million americans in the storm zone tonight. abc meteorologist ginger zee standing by with the forecast for the next few hours. we begin here with abc's ryan owens in the middle of the mess tonight. ryan, good evening. >> reporter: good evening to you, david. we're inside one of an estimated 500 homes that look like this. would you take a look around me. talk about a muddy mess. this was a flash flood so most of the water is gone except the stuff i'm slushing through but what a mess left behind. how high did it get? look here, this is the water

line almost as tall as i am. a whole lot of people here with a lot to clean up. more than 100 people woke up to a real scare this halloween across central texas and had to be rescued from rising waters. helicopters plucked a couple from two treetops. they were hanging there for hours just above the rage is waters after the flood swept away their suv. both suffered from hypothermia but are expected to be okay. emergency crews in boats went door to door in austin. they found families complete with their dogs stuck on the roof. firefighters climbed ladders to bring them to safety. >> everything i have, everything is gone forever. >> reporter: they even rescued one woman who went into labor while she was trapped. evacuees had minutes to get out. more than a foot of rain fell in the austin area overnight. roads reduced to rivers, cars

swallowed. one motorcyclist was killed when he slammed into a barricade. the massive storm is affecting an estimated 53 million people from houston to new orleans, cleveland to detroit. missouri has been hit with high winds and hail. kids in chicago are stuck trick or treating on the wettest halloween in almost two decades. people had no time to decide what they wanted to take with them so the woman who lived in this house got creative. she actually -- see that chest down there? she stacked that on top of the dining room table and that's where she put all of the family's photo albums. they're all in good shape. as for the rest of the house, you can see that. >> glad to see the photo album is okay and the family is okay, too. thanks for leading us off. glad they had the photo album saved. ginger is with us now. you say the totals are staggering. >> they really are. that's what i want to show you, how much rain actually fell. this gives you a good picture of

where it fell, especially south and west of austin, the numbers above a foot in some places. the highest was wimberley at 12.5 inches, wow. then the forecast, i want to show you because where this rain is going is to the east obviously with this tremendous cold front. birmingham to atlanta gets an inch and a half. then in the center a little lighter but then there is a target on the northern peninsula of michigan and the upper peninsula. david, the wind gusts come behind it. we're talking about 40 to 60 mile per hour winds down through parts of louisville and nashville. tomorrow windy. >> a lot of wet costumes tonight. be safe out there. the candy tastes the same. thank you. we're going to turn to that headline that broke late today, a major victory for a mother and father desperate for answers about their son, a high school athlete who was found dead under mysterious circumstances. for ten months those parents have searched for answers. tonight two major developments. federal prosecutors now saying they will investigate.

now new surveillance tapes from inside the school revealing their son's final moments. here's abc's steve osunsami. >> reporter: this is the surveillance video that the u.s. attorney here has now asked the fbi to study tonight, from that cold afternoon. 17-year-old kendrick johnson, in the white shirt, walks into a busy high school gym in georgia, and never walks back out. >> it's one step closer to finding out what happened to my son. >> reporter: what happens next wasn't caught on camera. the sheriff, the school system and a state pathologist all say that johnson most likely dropped a shoe into a rolled up gym mat and then suffocated trying to get it out. johnson's family refuses to believe this, and they've now convinced their u.s. attorney to help. >> at this time, i am of the opinion that a sufficient basis exists for my office to conduct a formal review of the facts and investigation surrounding the death of kendrick johnson. >> reporter: the parents hired their own medical examiner who

said this was a killing, blunt force trauma to the neck. when they exhumed his body, many of his internal organs were missing. authorities blamed the funeral home. >> it's a tragedy but it's a real life murder mystery. >> reporter: on facebook, johnson's father posted this picture of himself, wondering how anyone could squeeze into a gym mat. supporters from around the world writing, "i smell a cover-up," and "this case makes no sense." we talked with school officials and investigators who insist they have nothing to hide and are saddened by johnson's death. a judge has ordered authorities to turn over their entire case file to the family including the names of the minors seen in these videos, and exactly what they told police. steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. >> steve will stay on this case. breaking tonight, the new heartland, the bus that drove off the bridge and plunged into the water in kansas. children were forced to climb to safety. none were injured. they stood on top of the bus

until they were rescued. the driver has been taken to an injury with minor injuries. a remarkable video of how drugs are smuggled into the u.s. federal authorities say this drug tunnel linking san diego and tijuana was one of the most sophisticated they had ever seen. they found 8 tons of marijuana and three people are under arrest. to a brand new job tonight for edward snowden who is now living in russia. it comes as forbes magazine named president putin the most powerful leader in the world and putting president obama at number two, his rise in part due to the handling of snowden. tonight those reports that snowden is now employed again. abc's chief investigative correspondent brian ross on the case again tonight. >> reporter: in looking for a job with a moscow internet

company ed snowden didn't have any references from his last employer, the u.s. intelligence community. he remains perhaps america's most wanted fugitive as he acknowledged. >> she'll stop at nothing to persecute someone who told the truth. >> reporter: while congress is considering changing laws because of snowden, u.s. officials testified he is nothing but a traitor. >> if you are asking me, absolutely. >> reporter: much of the outrage has to do with the embarrass the of the u.s. in spying on german chancellor angela merkel and the leaders of 34 countries. >> we have to repair the damage, otherwise it's going to spin out of control. >> reporter: the parliament scheduled a special session to discuss it and there are discussed he might be given asylum to go to berlin to testify in his first public forum. >> that would entail germany

taking an extremely strong step against the u.s. >> reporter: u.s. officials say they expect the worst is yet to come from snowden. whistle blower lawyers tell abc news p tonight that his example has led several other current and former nsa contractors to come forward with their own secrets to reveal very soon. >> the worst yet to come, brian, thank you. now to syria and to what could be a break through tonight in the effort to dismantle chemical weapons. there is word from the team of weapons inspectors that so far syria has kept its promise. the plants where those chemical weapons were made now destroyed. "world news" was there as that team began their high stakes mission three weeks ago. tonight a new milestone r alex marquardt in the region. how significant is this? >> reporter: the bottom line, this is a very good sign. syria has destroyed all of its declared equipment that it used to produce those deadly chemical weapons. the assad regime even beat the deadline by a day. we have to remember that

chemical weapons are just a small part of this war that shows no sign of letting up. we spent a lot of time on both sides of this brutal fight and each is as committed as ever to defeating the other. the next date to watch closely is november 15th. by then syria's plan to destroy the stock pile, more than 1,000 tons of the most toxic chemicals on earth must be approved by inspectors. the world will be watching. to a developing story affecting millions of americans getting ready to board a plane, a big change under way. many passengers will learn that they can leave their gadgets on even during takeoff. "world news" hearing from passengers across the country as they heard the news late today. tonight some airlines racing to get started. here's abc's david kerley. >> reporter: stephanie. >> cell phone, laptop -- >> reporter: and stephanie travel a lot with their gadgets which they're about to use a lot

more. >> i read on my tap let, playing candy crush, fun stuff. >> reporter: the government today announced that using your device on takeoff and landing is not a problem. >> most commercial airplanes can tolerate portable electronic devices. >> reporter: if the airlines meet new guidelines fliers can use smart phones, tablets, e readers from gate to gate but no cell phone calls, no texting and only heavy devices, mostly laptops will have to be stowed for take off and landing. we asked fliers to react. >> i can listen to music while i'm taking off because i don't like takeoffs. >> i enjoy reading electronic books. >> i use an electronic device. i'm able to travel with these. >> reporter: flight attendants worry we'll be so busy we won't listen to safety briefings. airlines are racing to meet the

senten standards and the head of the faa is joining the rest of us. >> will you be looking at your iphone? >> probably an ipad. >> reporter: the faa received a couple requests today and says it will process them soon. does that mean you can use them starting tomorrow? we'll see. >> thanks. now to boston where the party certainly isn't over. the red sox clinching their first world series title at fenway since 1918. big papi looking to the heavens. excited fans danced on top of a taxi cab around the corner from fenway. we love this, this moving moment, kissing at the finish line of the boston marathon, the scene of course of that horrible attack earlier this year. abc's rob nelson on the scene proving once again it is boston strong. >> it hasn't happened at fenway

park for 95 years, the red sox are world champions! >> reporter: it was so much more than i game. in a city where the wounds are still fresh from april's devastating bombing, the red sox world series title is as much a victory as validation of a city spirit. >> the spirit of boston is in the boston red sox. >> reporter: you could hear it in home grown music and see it in today's headlines, that boston spirit also captured in these powerful moments last night at the finish line of the marathon. the carnage of six months ago replaced by celebration for a moment nearly a century in the making. perhaps no one in this city embodies boston strong better than mvp david, big papi ortiz, rallying the town. >> this is our [ bleep ] city. >> reporter: and again last night. >> should i keep it clean?

this is our bleep city! you guys are the greatest of all time, so proud to play for this city. >> reporter: today mark wheeler and his son bobby telling me big papi's story is post's story, too. >> he's inspirational. i mean, to always come through and that's what this city does. it always comes through. >> reporter: david, the party here in boston is far from over. on saturday the city will host its traditional victory parade. >> they deserve it. rob, thank you. much more ahead on "world news." last night we showed you some children sleeping straight through a smoke alarm. is your family ready to handle a dis kind of disaster. which movie is the scariest of all time and the one scene

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>> reporter: with fema's help we put the mascot family to the test. here's the scenario, a severe storm is in the forecast. do they have the proper supplies to stay home? >> you guys will gather everything together. one, two, three, go. >> reporter: like any normal day brent is at work so amy and the kids gather what they think they'll need. >> what are you getting, buddy? >> apple cider. >> we don't need apple cider. >> reporter: we brought in fema's gwen camp to see how well prepared they are. >> give them a grade. what might it be? >> for the thought and effort we'll say they get a c. it's going to be very, very easy to get this to up to an a-plus. >> reporter: fema suggests supplies for at least three days. remember this, warmth. blankets, check. food, well, perishables not good, non perishables only. water, a few bottles, not enough. >> one gallon of water per person per day. >> reporter: fema also

recommends a go bag. the mascots didn't have one but they did have flashlights and batteries and a first aid kit. a good start. they didn't have copies of important documents, cash, prescription drugs, food for the pets. something very important they got right, a place to go where all the family can meet up. byron pitts, abc news, maryland. when we come back here tonight, listen to this. ♪ >> there is a reason why we're not showing you the singer. can you guess how old she is? she stunned us all. ♪ wow...look at you. i've always tried to give it my best shot. these days i'm living with a higher risk of stroke due to afib, a type of irregular heartbeat, not caused by a heart valve problem. at first, i took warfarin, but i wondered, "could i up my game?" my doctor told me about eliquis. and three important reasons to take eliquis instead.

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our "instant index" starts with that unforgettable voice taking the world by storm tonight. you heard it before the break. look at this tonight. she's 9 years old. when she steps on stage, this is what happens. ♪ >> the judges in disbelief, the rest of us today, too.

her performance now viewed 2 million times. she's self-taught. check it out online. it's halloween and who doesn't love a scary movie. which is the scariest of all? researchers wanted to settle the argument once and for all. they monitored heart rates as we watched scary movies. the top three, "nightmare on elm street," "the exorcist" and the number one scariest movie, "the shining." the number one scene that got the hearts racing, this one. >> here's johnny. >> nobody scares better than jack. when we come back here tonight, this is no joke, what happens when you buy a haunted house and try to sell it. we'll take you inside. maybe y'. is there a lot of worry building up around a daily problem? well ladies, now there's big news in controlling your overactive bladder symptoms. thinking less about them with new oxytrol for women. it's a patch. the first and only over the counter treatment for overactive bladder.

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finally on this halloween, what happens when you try to sell your house but the whole neighborhood thinks it's haunted? abc's david wright at the open house. >> reporter: for sale, 4 bed, 4 1/2 bath mansion in sin city, marble floors, celebrity neighbors, and a ghost story. inside this once stately mansion lives an entity that has physically attacked its former residents. >> reporter: the reality show "ghost adventures" filmed paranormal investigators here, confronting the ghost of a mob hit man.

that's made selling this property a real nightmare. who you gonna call? randall bell, that's who. >> i've been called master of disaster, dr. disaster, dr. damage -- >> reporter: his specialty: properties "haunted" by tragic events. for instance, the brentwood condo where nicole brown simpson was murdered. on bell's advice the owner changed the facade. the image of the amityville horror house ended up changing their address to sell. haunted houses are tricky. this is a house with a real personality. as real estate agent phil dunphy on "modern family" can attest. in vegas bell's research found no evidence of murder or mobsters. >> you're saying it's not haunted by ghosts. it's haunted by reality tv? >> i hadn't thought of it that way but that's a good way to put it. >> reporter: the current owner bought the place at a $100,000

discount and fixed it up. >> will you make money when you sell it? >> i think so. >> reporter: that accent, transylvania, real estate ghost buster and flipper. david wright, abc news, las vegas. >> we want to thank you for sharing your halloween photos with us all day today. amazing costumes you sent us. keep them coming all night long. go to abcnews.com to find out how. for diane and all of us at abc news, have a safe and happy halloween tonight. breaking news, a bay area flight makes an unexpected stop. we will bring you a live update on the threat made on this plane. only on abc7 news a civil rights claim in the death of a santa rosa teenager. tonight, the first response from the deputy who shot him. and we will follow up on a vicious dog attack in antioch

last night. the search for the owner and what could happen to the dog that survived. and why a popular ex-49er could be spending time next year in a federal prison. that breaking news is in phoenix right now, where united airlines flight from san francisco to san antonio, texas, has been diverted because of some sort of threat. >> the nature of that threat has bought knot been released, flight 6573, which is operated by skywest airlines, landed at sky harbor airport in phoenix, where passengers were evacuated from the plane. >> police are now combing that aircraft as they investigate this threat. officials say even though you could see the plane sitting on the tarmac it is not delaying other flights. airport operations continue. the passengers are all being now.oked to san antonio right and good evening, i'm dan ashley. >> i'm carolyn johnson. we have new information tonight about the sheriff deputy who shot and kill addison nome ma county teenager. his lawyer spoke with abc7 news today.

13-year-old andy lopez was carrying a toy gun that looked real when the officer opened fire. deputy eric goalhouse's lawyer says he feels terrible about the loss of the young man but he believes he had no other option but to fire his weapon. vic lee in the newsroom with more for us. vick? >> reporter: abc7 news has learned that andy lopez's family has filed claim against sonoma county and the sheriff's office. here it s it was just filed today. now, the county has six months to either accept it or reject it. if that happens, the family would most likely file a lawsuit. the claimant is andy lopez mother. the claim says the 13-year-old was killed unjustifiably and charges that the sheriff's office failed to develop adequate training policies for the use of lethal force. it does not specify an amount for damages. deputy goalhouse has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. >> we feel for the loss of this young man's life. he